Amber Schmidtke, chair of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Saint Mary, received an honorary induction into the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health at Georgia State University.
Schmidtke rose to acclaim as a science communicator during the COVID-19 pandemic. She effectively translates complex public health data in ways that were meaningful for the general public through a widely read newsletter and podcast. Her work has been featured on the CBS Evening News, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Kansas City Star, Georgia Public Broadcasting, and the University of Kansas Health System Morning Medical Update.
“Stepping in and communicating with the public about the pandemic was some of the most meaningful work I have done in my career,” Schmidtke said. “In a time of crisis, I think many of us want to do whatever we can to help, and I was fortunate to have the skill and training to serve in this capacity. I’m so deeply honored by Georgia State University’s recognition and for their decision to induct me into this prestigious honor society.”
Schmidtke earned a bachelor’s degree in biological science from Colorado State University and a PhD in medical microbiology and immunology from Creighton University. Her doctoral research was on molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. She did her post-doctoral fellowship at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, studying the impact of U.S. vaccine policy on the population dynamics of Bordetella pertussis (causes pertussis or whooping cough). She has previously taught undergraduates at Middle Georgia State University and medical students at Mercer University School of Medicine.
The Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health was founded in 1924 at Johns Hopkins University to promote the study of public health, which at the time was a relatively new field. The Gamma Upsilon Chapter at the School of Public Health at Georgia State was established in 2014 to recognize its students and public health professionals who are dedicated to advancing the wellbeing of all people.
The University of Saint Mary is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of Saint Mary main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM’s Overland Park Campus at 4500 College Boulevard offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit stmary.edu for more information.